A+E Interactive » Bankhead Theaterhttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei
Bay Area Arts and Entertainment BlogMon, 30 Mar 2015 12:40:46 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1George Clinton, Roy Hargrove, Mike Patton: NYE picks No. 3http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/12/30/george-clinton-roy-hargrove-mike-patton-nye-picks-no-3/
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/12/30/george-clinton-roy-hargrove-mike-patton-nye-picks-no-3/#commentsWed, 31 Dec 2008 07:16:28 +0000Jim Harringtonhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/concerts/?p=1632
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic: Everybody sing: “We want the funk. Give us the funk. Got to have that funk.” Greyboy Allstars round out this funk-filled evening, 8 p.m., Warfield, San Francisco, $79-$89, 925-685-8497, 415-421-8497, 510-625-8497, www.ticketmaster.com. Slackers: The American… Continue Reading →]]>George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic:
Everybody sing: "We want the funk. Give us the funk. Got to have that funk." Greyboy Allstars round out this funk-filled evening, 8 p.m., Warfield, San Francisco, $79-$89, 925-685-8497, 415-421-8497, 510-625-8497, www.ticketmaster.com.
Slackers:
The American roots-reggae band headlines a bill that also includes the Impalers and the Struts, 9 p.m., Slim's, San Francisco, $30, 415-255-0333, www.slims-sf.com.
Y&T:
Bay Area classic rockers, led by uber guitar hero Dave Meniketti, perform in an intimate club setting, 9 p.m., Little Fox, Redwood City, $75, 650-369-4119, www.foxdream.com .
Fantomas:
Eclectic rock supergroup featuring vocalist Mike Patton (Faith No More), guitarist Buzz Osborne (Melvins), more, 9 p.m., Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, $45, 415-885-0750 , www.gamh.com.
The Four Freshmen:
Close out 2008 with an evening of close-harmony vocals, built upon the barbershop quartet tradition, delivered by Freshman Brian Eichenberger, Curtis Calderon, Vince Johnson and Bob Ferreira, 7 p.m., Bankhead Theater, Livermore, $15-$25, 925-373-6800, www.livermoreperformingart.org.
Roy Hargrove:
Sensational hard-bop-oriented trumpeter has assembled a big band for the big night, Yoshiâ€™s at Jack London Square, Oakland, $100, 510-238-9200, www.yoshis.com.
Pic by flickr user IndyDina and Mr. Wonderful used under Creative Commons license.]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/12/30/george-clinton-roy-hargrove-mike-patton-nye-picks-no-3/feed/2George ClintonKyle Eastwood, Clint’s son, gets busy in jazz worldhttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/11/10/kyle-eastwood-clints-son-gets-busy-in-jazz-world/
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/11/10/kyle-eastwood-clints-son-gets-busy-in-jazz-world/#commentsTue, 11 Nov 2008 05:26:07 +0000Jim Harringtonhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/concerts/?p=1375
By Jim Harrington As a rule, I try not to get all giddy about meeting celebrities. One notable exception, however, occurred at the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival when I got the chance to speak with the areaâ€™s most famous resident,… Continue Reading →]]>By Jim Harrington
As a rule, I try not to get all giddy about meeting celebrities.
One notable exception, however, occurred at the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival when I got the chance to speak with the areaâ€™s most famous resident, Clint Eastwood.
I was so thrilled after the encounter that I immediately went and called my parents. My dad, who doesnâ€™t get impressed very easily, was knocked out that his son had met Dirty Harry.
In my book, Eastwood ranks among the real A-list of Hollywood stars, next to such legends as Jack Nicholson, Harrison Ford and Robert Redford, and far above all of the young celebrities that fill the pages of supermarket tabloids.
Now, Iâ€™m looking forward to seeing another Eastwood _ Clintâ€™s son, Kyle. You can get in on the action as well when the Kyle Eastwood Band performs Nov. 11 at the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Centerâ€™s Bankhead Theater.
The younger Eastwood obviously inherited his fatherâ€™s well-nurtured love of jazz music and heâ€™s put that passion to good use. The accomplished bassist spent much of the â€˜90s as a studio session player, but heâ€™s since stepped out of the shadows to front his own touring ensemble.
The troupe mixes it up in concert, with a set list that moves between traditional jazz standards and Eastwoodâ€™s own modern compositions. The latter reflects the bassist-composerâ€™s interests in everything from swing and soul to pop and funk.
Iâ€™ve never seen Eastwood perform, a situation that Iâ€™m looking to correct at the Bankhead date, but Iâ€™ve heard only good things about his concerts. Indeed, people were raving about his bandâ€™s set last month at the 51st annual Monterey Jazz Festival.
It should also be noted that if youâ€™re familiar with Clint Eastwoodâ€™s recent films then you might also be familiar with Kyle Eastwoodâ€™s music. The son has contributed to the soundtracks of several of his dadâ€™s hit movies, including â€œMystic Riverâ€ and â€œMillion Dollar Baby.â€
Show time is 8 p.m. The Bankhead is at 2400 First St. in Livermore. Tickets are $25-$50. Call 925-373-6800 or visit www.livermoreperformingarts.org.]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/11/10/kyle-eastwood-clints-son-gets-busy-in-jazz-world/feed/3Kyle EastwoodAlison Krauss, Sigur Ros, Dandy Warhols among best betshttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/10/03/alison-krauss-sigur-ros-dandy-warhols-among-best-bets/
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/10/03/alison-krauss-sigur-ros-dandy-warhols-among-best-bets/#commentsFri, 03 Oct 2008 08:52:25 +0000Jim Harringtonhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/concerts/?p=1140
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass: Featuring Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris and dozens of others, 2:30 p.m., Oct. 3, 11 a.m. Oct. 4-5, Speedway, Marx and Lindley meadows, Golden Gate Park, free, www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com. San Francisco Jazz Festival: The 26th annual… Continue Reading →]]>Hardly Strictly Bluegrass: Featuring Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris and dozens of others, 2:30 p.m., Oct. 3, 11 a.m. Oct. 4-5, Speedway, Marx and Lindley meadows, Golden Gate Park, free, www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com.
San Francisco Jazz Festival: The 26th annual event features Randy Newman, Dave Brubeck, more, Oct. 3-Nov. 9, various locations, ticket prices vary, 866-920-5299, www.sfjazz.org.
The Smothers Brothers: The most legendary of all comic teams performs a fundraiser for LVPAC, 8 p.m., Oct. 3, Bankhead Theater, Livermore, $95-$125, 925-373-6800, www.livermoreperformingarts.org.
Sigur Ros: Acclaimed Icelandic band that delivers moody, cinematic rock music, 8 p.m., Oct. 3, UC Greek Theatre, Berkeley, $42.50, 925-685-TIXS, 415-421-TIXS, 510-625-TIXS, www.apeconcerts.com.
The Dandy Warhols: The innovative alt-rock band tours in support of the great new album, "Earth to the Dandy Warhols," 8 p.m., Oct. 4, The Warfield, San Francisco, $25, 925-685-TIXS, 415-421-TIXS, 510-625-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com.
David Byrne: Talking Heads legend performs from his own song book as well as plays music of Brian Eno, 8 p.m., Oct. 6, Davies Symphony Hall, $59.50-$85.50, 925-685-TIXS, 415-421-TIXS, 510-625-TIXS, www.apeconcerts.com.]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/10/03/alison-krauss-sigur-ros-dandy-warhols-among-best-bets/feed/7Alison KraussDave BrubeckSmothers BrothersSigur RosDandy WarholsDavid ByrneRickie Lee Jones: Still cool as ever in concerthttp://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/10/02/rickie-lee-jones-still-cool-as-ever-in-concert/
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/10/02/rickie-lee-jones-still-cool-as-ever-in-concert/#commentsThu, 02 Oct 2008 10:17:13 +0000Jim Harringtonhttp://www.ibabuzz.com/concerts/?p=1128
By Jim Harrington There was one moment during Rickie Lee Jonesâ€™ performance at the Bankhead Theater that truly seemed to sum up her three decades in the music industry. It occurred when Jones, now 53, set down her guitar and… Continue Reading →]]>By Jim Harrington
There was one moment during Rickie Lee Jonesâ€™ performance at the Bankhead Theater that truly seemed to sum up her three decades in the music industry.
It occurred when Jones, now 53, set down her guitar and picked up an unusual three-stringed, fretted instrument, which couldnâ€™t have measured much more than three inches at its widest point. The instrument surely had a name _ which Jones, if she knew what it was, didnâ€™t share with the crowd _ but I can only say that it looked to be of Middle Eastern origin.
â€œI was in my doctorâ€™s office today and he had this instrument in there,â€ she said to the audience. â€œHe said, `Do you want to borrow it?â€™ And I said, `Yes.â€™â€
She then began to strum the instrument, delivering warmly appealing notes of some nature, and started to sing. The result was a gorgeous song that no one in the house recognized. Jones would later explain that it was a wholly improvised number, yet, to this criticsâ€™ ears, it sounded better than any fan favorite performed on this night.
It also underscored the defining trait of this artist: Sheâ€™s fearless. Over the years, sheâ€™s followed her muse in so many different directions, even if they conflicted with what a career guidance counselor might recommend, and sheâ€™s worked her way through everything from R&B and pop to soul and blues.
Her concert on Wednesday night (Oct. 1) at Livermoreâ€™s gorgeous, still-new Bankhead, which recently launched its second season of hosting performing arts, was the type of adventurous outing that one has come to expect from this two-time Grammy winner.
Backed by a terrific four-piece band, Jones opened the show with an enchanting version of â€œRodeo Girlâ€ from 1989â€™s Walter Becker-produced â€œFlying Cowboys.â€ Many in the crowd knew that song _ itâ€™s a key track from Jonesâ€™ last album to make the Billboard Top 40 _ but very few seemed to recognize the follow-up, â€œFirewalker,â€ which hails from 1997â€™s largely ignored â€œGhostyhead.â€ Yet, â€œFirewalkerâ€ turned out to be every bit the equal of â€œRodeo Girl.â€
It was like that all night long. Jones would play some songs that people recognized, like the pair of 1981 singles "Pirates (So Long Lonely Avenue)" and "Woody and Dutch on the Slow Train to Peking," and then perform some newer pieces mixed with tracks that might best be described as rarities. By concertâ€™s end, she had handled 16 songs and each was rewarding in its own way.
Admittedly, Jonesâ€™ vocal style, which relies on high-pitched wails to convey emotion, is a bit of an acquired taste. Her songwriting, however, is vastly accessible. Her songs are full of intriguing characters and storylines, and sheâ€™s only gotten better as a lyricist as her career has progressed. Sheâ€™s also a very versatile musician, which was illustrated at the Bankhead as Jones performed on electric and acoustic guitar, piano, keyboard, percussion, tambourine and, most notably, that unnamed instrument on loan from her doctor.
For an encore, she gave all the casual fans what theyâ€™d come to hear: the mega-hit â€œChuck E.â€™s in Love.â€ Yet, she changed it up enough to satisfy the die-hard Jones fanatics that have come to expect the unexpected from their hero.
In a famous review written in 1981, a Time magazine scribe crowned Jones as â€œThe Duchess of Coolsville.â€ Seventeen years later, that description still fits.
Bonus video:
]]>http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/10/02/rickie-lee-jones-still-cool-as-ever-in-concert/feed/1Rickie Lee Jones